Baseball Training Aid

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a baseball training aid that includes a ball having a core and an outer layer. The outer layer includes a pair of panels that are sewn together at its seams via stitching. The pair of panels is provided in a first color, wherein the seams and stitching are provided in a second color that contrasts with the color of the pair of panels. The seams are configured to be brightly colored to allow a user to better track the rotation and spin of a ball. Further, the stitching is also configured to be brightly colored to visually enhance the rotation and spin of the ball. In this way, the user can learn to recognize the rotation of a ball to increase the probability of hitting or catching the ball.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/045,636 filed on Sep. 4, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to baseball training aids. More particularly, the present invention provides an improved baseball training aid to allow a user to learn and recognize the spin on a ball to improve the user's chances of catching or hitting the ball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many sports such as baseball and softball require balls to be thrown by hand. Both the grip by a person's hand and the ball is thrown can significantly impact the ball's path, speed, rotation, and movement during its flight. For example, in baseball, a pitcher can use different hand grips and different release points to execute a variety of different pitches. These pitches include a two-seam fastball, a four-seam fastball, a slider, a forkball, a sinker, a cutter, a curveball, and a changeup, among others. By varying the hand grip and throwing motion, the spin of the baseball and the movement of the seams of the baseball can be manipulated to pass through the air differently, thereby providing a variety of different effects in trajectory, speed, and movement.

Learning a variety of pitches may be a goal for many young pitchers. However, for many young hitters, their goal is to learn to recognize the spin on the baseball to better predict the movement of a baseball. In this way, they can better track the movement of a baseball to increase their chances of hitting the baseball. In addition, it is also important for catchers to learn to recognize the spin on the baseball to increase the chances of catching or blocking balls. Therefore, there exists a need for a baseball training aid that allows a user to better recognize and track the spin on a ball.

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to baseballs and teaching variants thereof. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. Baseballs specifically marked for teaching both batters and pitchers are disclosed in the prior art, wherein the baseballs have outer markings that help the batter to determine the movement of the ball. These prior art devices include U.S. Pat. No. 8,512,170 to Muscarello, which provides a ball having markings on the panels, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,725 to Bengtson, which provides a two-colored ball having one half of the surface in a dark color and the remainder in a light color. However, these devices do not provide stitching and seams that are visually prominent to allow for better tracking of the rotation of a ball.

The present invention provides a baseball training aid that includes a ball having a core and an outer layer. The outer layer comprises a pair of panels that include a seam about the perimeter thereof. The seams are sewn together via stitching. The seams are configured to be brightly colored to allow a user to better track the rotation and spin of a ball. Further, the stitching is also configured to be brightly colored to visually enhance the rotation and spin of the ball. The seams and stitching are colored so as to contrast with the coloration of the panels or covering of the ball. In this way, the user can learn to recognize the rotation of a ball to increase the probability of hitting or catching the ball.

It is therefore submitted that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to baseball training aids. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of baseball training aids now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a baseball training aid wherein the same can be utilized for allowing a user to better track the rotation and spin of a baseball.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improved baseball training aid that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved baseball training aid comprising a ball having a core and an outer layer, wherein the outer layer includes a pair of panels that are sewn together at a seam of each panel via stitching.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved baseball training aid, wherein each seam is provided in a variety of colors configured to allow a user to better track rotation and spin of the ball.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved baseball training aid, wherein the stitching is configured to match the color of each seam to enhance the appearance of the ball to train a user to recognize the spin on the ball.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved baseball training aid, wherein the device may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of the baseball training aid.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the core and outer layer of the baseball training aid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the baseball training aid. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for helping a user to more easily see the stitching on the baseball training aid, thereby enabling the user to better track the rotation of the ball that is being thrown or hit. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a front perspective view of the baseball training aid 20 and an exploded view of the core and outer layers of the baseball training aid 20, respectively. The baseball training aid 20 comprises a ball 21 having a core 30 that is enclosed by an outer layer 22. The ball 21 is sized similarly to a conventional regulation baseball, however other sizes of the ball 21 are also likewise contemplated. Specifically, the size of the ball 21 further includes a softball size to provide softball players with a similar training aid.

The core 30 is preferably spherical in shape and is composed of a rubber or cork center surrounded by a plurality of layers of yarn, however, other alternative materials are likewise contemplated. The core 30 is then coated in a latex adhesive or a rubber cement to attach the outer layer 22. The outer layer 22 comprises a pair of panels 23 that are sewn together at a seam 25 of each panel 23 to completely enclose the core 30 therein. The seam 25 as defined in this disclosure is the outer edge or perimeter of each panel 23. Preferably, each panel 23 is shaped similarly to the number “8,” however, other shapes are alternatively used in other embodiments.

The pair of panels 23 fully enclose the core 30 and hold the ball 21 together via stitching 24. The stitching 24 allows the pair of panels 23 to be sewn together around the seam 25 of each panel 23, wherein the stitching 24 is sewn flat against the seam 25 of each panel 23 with the stitching 24 protruding outwardly.

The pair of panels 23 are provided in a first color, and the seam 25 is provided in a second color adapted to contrast with the first color. Any of various color schemes are contemplated, wherein the first and second colors contrast one another. For example, the pair of panels 23 can be white whereas the seams 25 are orange. Further, the seam 25 can be provided in any of a variety of bright colors to improve the visibility of the seam and to increase the contrast between the seam 25 and the panel 23. In some embodiments, the seam 25 is a bright orange color, and in other embodiments, the seam 25 is a bright green color or a bright pink color.

Additionally, the stitching 24 is preferably provided in the same color as the seams 25. The stitching may include brightly colored thread that enhances the appearance thereof. In this way, the stitching 24 is more visible to users, thereby allowing them to better track the rotation of the baseball training aid 20 that is thrown or hit. However, alternative embodiments may include contrasting colors for the stitching 24 and the seam 25 to allow for better visibility. In some embodiments, the stitching 24 of the baseball training aid 20 includes thicker strands or threads than conventional stitching for baseballs, which have 108 double stitches. Preferably, the stitching 24 is composed of cotton, however, other fabric are likewise contemplated.

By providing brightly colored seams and/or stitching, the seams and stitching contrast with the white color of the panels, allowing a batter to more easily track the movement and rotation of the seams. In this way, the batter is better able to predict the ball's movement for training purposes. Various color schemes are provided, wherein the seams or stitching contrasts with the color of the panels of the outer cover. Thus, in some embodiments, the panels may be a black and the seams and/or stitching is white in order to provide contrast with the color of the panels.

This is particularly advantageous for athletes because after a conventional ball is hit, thrown, or pitched, the raised stitches of a conventional ball are configured to catch the wind and cause the conventional ball to swerve slightly on its way to its target. The ability for the ball to swerve left, right, downward, upward, or a combination thereof depends on the direction and speed the stitches have been made to spin by a user. Therefore, recognizing the spin of a ball is crucial to a person's ability to catch or hit a ball. The baseball training aid 20 includes seams 25 and stitching 24 that are brightly colored, which allows a user to train his or her eyes to recognize the spin of the stitching 24. In this way, the user can more easily catch or hit a ball, which makes the baseball training aid 20 a valuable training tool.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim: 1) A baseball training aid, comprising: a ball having a core enclosed by an outer layer; said outer layer comprising a pair of panels each having a seam about the perimeter thereof, wherein said pair of panels are sewn together via stitching along said seams thereof; said pair of panels comprising a first color and said seams comprising a second color adapted to contrast with said first color. 2) The baseball training aid of claim 1, wherein said stitching comprises said second color. 3) The baseball training aid of claim 1, wherein each said first color is white, and wherein said second color is orange. 4) The baseball training aid of claim 1, wherein said stitching is composed of a thickened thread so as to improve visibility of said stitching. 5) The baseball training aid of claim 1, wherein said stitching is sewn flat against said seam of each said panel said stitching protruding outwardly. 6) The baseball training aid of claim 1, wherein each said panel is substantially shaped like an “8.” 